January 22, 2008 (Canmore, Alta.) – This first of four World Cup showdowns hosted by Foothills Nordic and Canmore Ski Club kicked off with the women’s 15km pursuit on a crisp morning with slow snow after frigid nighttime temperatures. But nothing could deter Polish skier Justyna Kowalczyk, who came into the race ranked 6th in World Cup points. She flew to a solo finish in in 42:30, breaking away from Russians Evgenia Medvedeva, who took the silver 8.73 seconds back, and Olga Rotcheva who took bronze, 12.57 seconds behind.

It was, as Kowalczyk said, a “Slovakian Day” as Valentina Shevchenko of the Ukraine (at 13.50 seconds), and a third Russian, Larisa Kurkina, took the fifth spot in the sprint for the bronze.

In her debut World Cup race, US skier Morgan Arritola placed an amazing 24th with a time of 45:27.2 at 2:56.9 behind the winner, while Sarah Renner, returning after nearly one year’s absence while she gave birth to daughter Aria, finished a respectable 25th at 45:40.7.

Kowalczyk came into the pit for the transition in 4th place, in a group of four, chased by another group of four. She made her move on one of the many tough climbs on the second last lap, and held on to it, increasing the distance between her and the chase group for her first gold medal on the World Cup circuit. “The course was very hard,” said Kowalczyk, “very slow the snow [because of the cold], but everything still was fine.”

Arritola, who decided to race “at the last minute because there were no other training opportunities” for her, seemed almost nonchalant about her placing. “I needed to train for the U23’s and this was the best place. I can only stay for this race because I am leaving for Poland” where the U23’s are being held.

Arritola came to cross-country skiing late, at 17 years of age when one of her soccer teammates told her she should come out for the school ski team. Last year she made the US national team at age 20. “I loved skiing as soon as I tried it, so I just kept going with it,” said Arritola after the race. “I felt okay with classic legs, but I started to feel the race for sure in the skate. I ended up by myself, but the hills, the course, the venue, it’s just awesome. I guess I’m happy.”

Results

1. Justyna Kowalczyk (Pol) 42:30.3
2. Evgenia Medvedeva (Rus) at 0:15.9
3. Olga Rotcheva (Rus) 0:22.9
4. Valentina Shevchenko (Ukr) 0:24.6
5. Larisa Kurkina (Rus) 0:26.6

24. Morgan Arritola (USA) 2:56
25. Sara Renner (Can) 3:10
32. Tasha Betcherman (Can) 3:47
35. Dasha Gaizova (Can) 4:52
37. Madeline Williams (Can) 5:28
39. Tazlina Mannix (USA) 5:47
40. Evelyn Dong (USA) 5:49
41. Kate Arouser (USA) 6:06
42. Amanda Amar (Can) 6:34
43. Shayla Swanson (Can) 6:36
44. Brook Gosling (Can) 6:43
45. Lindsey Dehline (USA) 6:47
46. Jacquie Benson (Can) 8:16

Full Women’s results.